The 2019 NRL season is almost upon us and it's time to preview each team's chances at finals football for the season ahead.

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Cronulla Sharks

Pro

Experience. The Sharks have loads of experience within their armoury that can give them the upper hand in high pressure games. Paul Gallen is in his 19th season of first grade while the likes of Wade Graham, Matt Prior, Andrew Fifita, Jayson Bukuya, Chad Townsend and Sosaia Feki still remain of the 2016 triumph.

Con 

Inexperienced coach. After long-serving coach Shane Flanagan departed amid an off-season of turmoil, the Sharks filled the void with former NRL hooker John Morris who played 105 games for the club. How the young coach fares at top level could be a major factor in the Sharks' season.

Best 17

  1. Matt Moylan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Josh Morris 4. Josh Dugan 5. Sione Katoa 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Scott Sorensen 15. Aaron Woods 16. Jayson Bukuya 17. Jack Williams.

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Paul Gallen of the Sharks looks dejected during the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla Sharks at Allianz Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
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5 COMMENTS

  2. I seem to agree with a lot of these teams but really disagree with the knights. Tim Glasby, who started for the Storm and was apart of the QLD team from the last few years WILL NOT BE on the bench. I think Glasby will start at lock over Barnett who will be on the bench. Also I think SKD can’t play any defence and is only a wing now and he beats Nathan Ross. Sione Mata’utia will be the centre inside him. Obviously Ross won’t be in the bench so there’s a place for James Gavet there.

    Also with the West tigers no David Nofoaluma… No way does Josh Reynolds start round 1 in 6 over Benji. Benji was half the reason Brooks played so well last year and he deserves to start the year there. Reynolds is coming back off a huge lay off with injury and also offers ability to cover hooker off the bench. In the preseason game against the Warriors Benji rested the second half and Reynolds looked like he didn’t know the system or what to do.

    • I agree too. I left the tigers out because of salary cap dramas, Lawrence injury, old legs benji and Robbie, Zane Musgrove not registered and unsettled spine.

      The knights have the cattle. No excuses if they click.
      Brownie first coach sacked?

  3. Roosters have got plenty of depth with Mitchell can cover fullback, Lachlan Lam or Brock Lamb has 5/8 and half covered. Lindsay Collins will be on the bench and Nat Butcher will be the first in line as backup bench forward followed by Poasa Faamausili and Sitili Tupouniua as the next back up bench forwards. Ryan Hall when fit will push for a wing spot plus we have Matt Ikuvalu as another back Morris can cover centre if needed and Aubusson can cover in the backs and backrow forwards. Plenty of players at the Roosters who are multi skilled in various positions.💪🐔👍

    • Forgot to mention this is Cronks team. Keary proved a great backup in the Grand Final and half a Preliminary Final to easily handle the halfback leadership skills but with a fit Cronk Keary reverts back to his brilliant 5/8 running game with great passes at speed.💪🐔👍